Link Possible in Cases of Clinic Vandalism

Two Pinellas County abortion clinics were vandalized with a foul-smelling chemical that investigators said might be the same acid used in earlier clinic attacks in three other counties. Authorities said the chemical was poured through holes drilled in the doors of National Women’s Health Services in Clearwater and Women’s Health Center in St. Petersburg. A Pinellas County hazardous-material crew said a very small amount of an unidentified, smelly chemical had been injected through the door at the Clearwater clinic. About a quart was poured at the second clinic, said Nancy McClellan, a St. Petersburg police spokeswoman. No injuries were reported. Wayne Shelor, a Clearwater police spokesman, said the FBI will analyze the chemical to determine if it is butyric acid, which was used in five recent attacks on Miami-area abortion clinics.